(5) Is Cox in the best 22? If not how far out is he?
The last two pre-seasons I've watched him during Peel scratch matches and I haven't been impressed with his application/desire. It's showed in the games he did get during this season. IMO he's miles out.

(6) Are Valente or Sturt realistically a chance to be in the round 1 team?
Sturt yes, Valente no. Valente has barely got on the park this year.

(7) Where does Cerra likely play next year?
Depending on fitness. Midfield rotating off the bench and hbf. (Midfield 50% - HBF 20% - Bench 30%) 3rd year in, we need to see if he's capable in the midfield.

(8) Is Mundy a "Bench" player next year? does he stick to "one half" of the ground?
Bryashaw, Cerra, Tucker and Blakely need to start stepping up their midfield minutes. So Mundy should almost be a bench player, rotating off the bench. He shouldn't be going near the fwdline this year. Unless Tabs, Hogan, Lobb and Dixon all go down.

(9) What is the pecking order for Rucks, assuming they are all fit? Is Taberner and/or Dixon in that list?
I still think we played our best when Lobb was our No1 ruck (GWS and Collingwood games). Another preseason into Darcy should really help with his mobility/agility/fitness though which is obviously he area of weakness.

(10) What position does Walters play next year?
Somewhat similar to this year, maybe a bit more forward (50% midfield - 30% fwd - 20% bench). Be silly to change what is clearly working.

Norm Smith Medallist

Really a frustrating case. Had a few bad games, still think we should have persisted with him. Most forward will have bad games depending on matchups and supply. Still I think he needs to get fitter. Think his best footbal is played in a Nick Riewoldt like role running around up to the wings a lot.

Logistically how would you see that happening? The appointment, then within a week make decisions on players who are still on leave and who may not have met the coach? I don't think that is realistic, and think the List Manager needs to make those decisions, starting with keeping anyone who is in contract and not being pursued for a trade.

Club Legend

Assuming Hill and Langdon leave and not making assumptions about who will come, these are the players on our list who should be best 18 next year in my opinion. I actually think it's pretty decent or I could just be delusional.

Barring injury (which of course will play a role), I see 4 spots up grabs. I'm sure others see more.

Next in line with scope for improvement
- Switkowski (will likely get a run early but needs to convert)
- McCarthy (team is already tall, will need to show serious form in the off season)
- Hughes (shows signs, can be frustrating)
- Duman (as above)
- Tucker (does he leave, can he become a gut running winger?)
- Cox (behind in the pecking order)
- Dixon (likewise behind in the pecking order)
- Carter (made some silly mistakes but has X factor)

The foot soldiers
- Colyer
- Crowden (yes he's young but he seems like another brady grey)
- Bailey Banfield (a less skilled de boer, needs to be played as a tagger or not at all)
- Lachie Shultz (doesn't excite me, ok depth)
- Brett Bewley (not quite the lethal foot advertised, already 24, could be deployed on a wing but I'm not bullish)

The unknowns
- Sturt (high pick, will he break into the team?)
- Valente (hasn't really had a run at it, will be interesting with a full pre-season under his belt)
- Tom North (haven't watched at peel level can't comment

Team Captain

Since this is a discussion and not just a "write down your favourite" team, some questions:

(1) Is Henry automatically in the 22? Is he in the 18?
(2) With Pearce, Wilson and Ryan back, is Logue in the best 22?
(3) How far out of the best 22 is Crowden?
(4) What are our top 3 talls down forward?
(5) Is Cox in the best 22? If not how far out is he?
(6) Are Valente or Sturt realistically a chance to be in the round 1 team?
(7) Where does Cerra likely play next year?
(8) Is Mundy a "Bench" player next year? does he stick to "one half" of the ground?
(9) What is the pecking order for Rucks, assuming they are all fit? Is Taberner and/or Dixon in that list?
(10) What position does Walters play next year?

1) Nobody's automatically in the 22 - but theres a big hole on the list with Ed and Brad going. The spots there for him to grab in the preseason. Likely as a small forward with bursts on the wing rather than as a winger.
2) Yes; Pearce, Hamling, Logue, Ryan, Wilson, Hughes are the back 6 for mine (before trading takes effect) - Hill on a wing.
3) It will depend on how much he comes on, I rate the kid - adds something different to the line-up, but he's not in the starting side for mine yet (pushing for an emergency spot bar any sudden rise)
4) Easy. Lobb, Tabs, Hogan
5) No. Versatile so its hard to line him up, probably 1 or 2 injuries away at either end.
6) Valente, No. Sturt, Yes - will need a big preseason though and to put on some size quick smart.
7) Would like to see him on a wing.
8) Will be a bit of a Mr fix it, can't go forward with 3 KPF's or we're a bit slow. Wouldn't be surprised to see him trialled on a wing either to give Brayshaw and the likes more time inside.
9) Darcy, Lobb, Meek - If Lobb rucks Tabs/Dixon become backup rucks.
10) Same as this year, has to keep rotating. Ideally some younger guys come on more through the midfield and he can go forward more. If we're struggling to feel the void on a wing he's one that could certainly play a role there as well: It will depend on others.

Brownlow Medallist

Since this is a discussion and not just a "write down your favourite" team, some questions:

(1) Is Henry automatically in the 22? Is he in the 18?
(2) With Pearce, Wilson and Ryan back, is Logue in the best 22?
(3) How far out of the best 22 is Crowden?
(4) What are our top 3 talls down forward?
(5) Is Cox in the best 22? If not how far out is he?
(6) Are Valente or Sturt realistically a chance to be in the round 1 team?
(7) Where does Cerra likely play next year?
(8) Is Mundy a "Bench" player next year? does he stick to "one half" of the ground?
(9) What is the pecking order for Rucks, assuming they are all fit? Is Taberner and/or Dixon in that list?
(10) What position does Walters play next year?

1) Is Henry automatically in the 22? Is he in the 18?
Provided he has no setbacks with injury I’d want him starting round 1 up forward
(2) With Pearce, Wilson and Ryan back, is Logue in the best 22?
Yes, probably in place of Hughes
(3) How far out of the best 22 is Crowden?
Would probably need a really good pre-season to squeeze in best 22, still got promise IMO but would need some good WAFL games
(4) What are our top 3 talls down forward?
Hogan, Lobb, Tabs (think Cam is more of a 3rd/hybrid type role - not a true tall)
(5) Is Cox in the best 22? If not how far out is he?
Depends on the set up the coach goes for. If he delivers on his potential (which imo I think is fairly high), then he could push up and be in consideration ahead of a Tabs type
(6) Are Valente or Sturt realistically a chance to be in the round 1 team?
Sturt probably, Valente maybe
(7) Where does Cerra likely play next year?
Midfield
(8) Is Mundy a "Bench" player next year? does he stick to "one half" of the ground?
I’d say bench in a Mr fix it type role
(9) What is the pecking order for Rucks, assuming they are all fit? Is Taberner and/or Dixon in that list?
As ‘lead’ rucks
Darcy - Lobb - Meek.
(10) What position does Walters play next year?
50/50 mix fwd and mid for mine.

Wilson - Doesn't get enough of the ball for how bad defensively he is. Hopefully he can can his numbers up a bit. But not a certain starter imo.

Logue - I rate Logue but he isn't fast or a back flank and I dont think you can play him with Hamling and AP. We need one of these players to have some attacking ability. 3 lockdown types doesn't really work in the modern game imo. Maybe we can bring MJ out of retirement?

All Australian

Best 22.
We don't have the midfield right now to back up Fyfe and Walters, so I am going all out on a limb here and saying that we will throw the kitchen sink at Kelly or someone of his quality.
We desperately need good ball users. Conca is not up to it. Brayshaw is not good enough with ball in hand and Cerra too inconsistent (at this stage)
The only guy good enough as a mid is Blakely (and only as an inside mid) I'm tipping a huge year for him.
We need the quality users (Walters, S hill) on the outside.
There will be a new recruit on the half back flank - as Conca, Carter, Cerra ect are just not up to that role right now, and Hughes not good enough with ball in hand. (Shai Bolten maybe?)
Unlike some others, I don't see Langdon going as a huge loss - as he turned the ball over too much.

Brownlow Medallist

Best 22.
We don't have the midfield right now to back up Fyfe and Walters, so I am going all out on a limb here and saying that we will throw the kitchen sink at Kelly or someone of his quality.
We desperately need good ball users. Conca is not up to it. Brayshaw is not good enough with ball in hand and Cerra too inconsistent (at this stage)
The only guy good enough as a mid is Blakely (and only as an inside mid) I'm tipping a huge year for him.
We need the quality users (Walters, S hill) on the outside.
There will be a new recruit on the half back flank - as Conca, Carter, Cerra ect are just not up to that role right now, and Hughes not good enough with ball in hand. (Shai Bolten maybe?)
Unlike some others, I don't see Langdon going as a huge loss - as he turned the ball over too much.

If Kelly is open to come to Freo we'll make it happen, but if he only wants to go to WCE I hope we pull out of all negotiations before they even start. Geelong wont let them leave with a first round selection this year or next!

I want the kids to start the pre season outside best 22 and work their way in. If by round one they’re best 22 that’s great and it builds our depth. I don’t necessarily rate the players I’ve labelled as depth but I think that’s what these players need to be to A.) contribute and B.) be on our list in 2021. Wouldn’t be against having an extra ‘depth’ player but I think the ruck and inside mid are essential to make sure we don’t fall apart after a few injuries.

I think people are overrating skills if possible. We’ve been so bad in that area for so long half the people on this board seem to think players without elite skills who aren’t over 195cm or named Fyfe are absolute spuds. We have a few players who’d get games for quite a few sides despite the fact they aren’t elite kicks.

I want the kids to start the pre season outside best 22 and work their way in. If by round one they’re best 22 that’s great and it builds our depth. I don’t necessarily rate the players I’ve labelled as depth but I think that’s what these players need to be to A.) contribute and B.) be on our list in 2021. Wouldn’t be against having an extra ‘depth’ player but I think the ruck and inside mid are essential to make sure we don’t fall apart after a few injuries.

I think people are overrating skills if possible. We’ve been so bad in that area for so long half the people on this board seem to think players without elite skills who aren’t over 195cm or named Fyfe are absolute spuds. We have a few players who’d get games for quite a few sides despite the fact they aren’t elite kicks.

I’m more having a go at people who don’t think Conca is best 22 or say that Hughes or Duman are delist material and will probably say I’m accepting mediocrity because I don’t think the same.

Conca was best 22 at Richmond and has just played his best season of AFL footy. Good honest player who’d get a game at most teams - if not every single one.

Hughes and Duman played most games this year yet people are saying to delist them without even offering an alternative. Yes they made frustrating mistakes but the last man in a back six is generally a role player at best. If we trade in a half back they’ll either be at around the same level or we’ll be sacrificing a draft pick the same people would say isn’t worth it.

Yes - Sturt is quick (a good sub 3 seconds for 20m) and it plays out in him being able easily get out on a lead as a forward. Strength and endurance is what he needs to work on; he is good (in terms of timing, one touch) in contests marking situations at WAFL and below levels but he will not be able to do that so easily atm at AFL level given his current physique.

All Australian

I’m more having a go at people who don’t think Conca is best 22 or say that Hughes or Duman are delist material and will probably say I’m accepting mediocrity because I don’t think the same.

Conca was best 22 at Richmond and has just played his best season of AFL footy. Good honest player who’d get a game at most teams - if not every single one.

Hughes and Duman played most games this year yet people are saying to delist them without even offering an alternative. Yes they made frustrating mistakes but the last man in a back six is generally a role player at best. If we trade in a half back they’ll either be at around the same level or we’ll be sacrificing a draft pick the same people would say isn’t worth it.

Finally someone said it. "BuT nYhuIs DeSerVeS a gAmE!!!!!" no he bloody didn't, Nyhuis was s**t, Hughes is easily better than him and it an't even close. Good post mate. Duman will only improve with time. Accepting mediocrity would be keeping an absolute spud like Nyhuis and delisting Hughes.